Christian Atsu’s body will arrive in Ghana on Sunday evening, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

Atsu was found dead after being trapped in rubble for nearly 12 days following the Turkey earthquake.

The ministry had earlier announced that plans were being made to transport the late Black Stars winger’s body to Ghana for burial.

The latest statement refutes reports that the body arrived at the airport on Saturday night but no official was present.

of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

“The remains will be accompanied by his family and Ghana’s Ambassador to Türkiye on a Turkish airlines flight and will arrive in Accra at 7:40 p.m. today Sunday, 19 February, 2023,” the statement said.

“The remains will be received at the Kotoka International Airport by the family, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), and the Government upon its arrival from Istanbul, Türkiye.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family, and we pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Christian Atsu.”

Atsu played for various European clubs, such as Chelsea, FC Porto, Newcastle United, Everton, and Bournemouth.

For Ghana, he made 65 appearances and scored nine goals.